Batten down the hatches everyone – the Met Office has issued TWO separate weather warnings for Greater Manchester over the coming hours.
The region is set to be battered by both heavy rain and strong winds at various points over the next day.
There’s a chance that the weather will cause some disruption to transport and a smaller chance of a loss of power.
Up first will come the rain, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Greater Manchester from 2pm.
The deluge, expected to be up to 20mm to 30mm in just a few hours, will last until 6pm, when the weather will ease to a light rain.
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That weather warning covers all of Greater Manchester as well as Merseryside, Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire, with a chance of flooding.
The Met Office said: “A spell of heavy rain is likely during Thursday afternoon, clearing to the east through the early evening. 20 to 30 mm is likely to fall in just a few hours, bringing a risk of some surface water flooding and disruption to travel.
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“The rain is also likely to be accompanied by gusty, perhaps briefly squally, winds.”
Then from 3pm today all the way through to 3am tomorrow, there’ll be strong winds battering a huge chunk of the UK.
The Met Office’s yellow weather warning for wind blankets everywhere from north Cornwall up to north west Scotland, including Greater Manchester and most of the west coast.
The weather service said: “Westerly or northwesterly winds will increase during Thursday afternoon and evening.
“Inland gusts of 40-50 mph are possible, with perhaps 60-70 mph along exposed coasts, especially through the North Channel and Irish Sea, causing some travel disruption.
“Strong gusts will also be associated with heavy, squally bursts of rain in places.”
Yellow warnings for wind and rain, in various combinations, will continue all the way through until Sunday.
During the day, Friday looks set to be fairly bright and calm for Greater Manchester, until heavy rain returns in the evening.
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On Saturday the Met Office is forecasting heavy rain until late morning, with relatively strong winds.
And on Sunday, things should calm down, though a yellow weather warning for wind and rain remains in place until 6am for most of the UK.
Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
Daisy Jackson -
5th December 2024 
